http://internetsobor.org/
| A very rough, machine-English translation: again, my apologies to English-only readers, but I simply do not have bi-lingual helper people who have the time or are willing to translate from Russian to English. |
Metropolitan Agafangel: His report to the Council of Bishops
Author: Metropolitan Agafangel incl. November 28, 2014. Published in the ROCA (Views: 133)
An abridged version of a memorandum Metropolitan Agafangel Emergency Council of Bishops in 2014
About the new upcoming split of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
Russian
Church Abroad was always free, independent religious organization. And
precisely because of its independence and free voice in the modern world
it was, on the one hand, a reliable support of Christian confessors,
and on the other, are a nuisance "miroderzhatelyam of this world."
Therefore, during the existence of the Church Abroad enemies of Christ
tried to destroy it - split, denigrate its representatives, quarrel with
each other, and so it lay, that is, do anything to weaken it and
eventually get out of existence .
Nowadays,
seeing that it was not possible to completely destroy the Russian
Church Abroad in 2007, because it is alive and growing, "counsel of the
ungodly," apparently decided to continue the work on its destruction.
Today we can say that makes another large-scale attempt to arrange a
split in the Orthodox Church.
We
can not know the details of the plan of the current attempts to split
the ROCOR, but we can see its external manifestations associated with
the preparation of a new division - elements arbitrarily, violation of
the canons, conspiracies, intrigues, defamation of unwanted members of
the Church and, as a result, an open revolt against the ROCOR on their
own initiative in meeting Naverezhe.
Abbreviated analysis of the "Appeal of clergy and laity Russian ROCOR parishes":
First Hierarch of ROCOR charged that put the church life "on the high road to the historical hatred of Russia."
Not to mention the fact that this statement is not true, and also to
the church dogmas and rules of this allegation has no relation.
Moreover, the authors of "treatment" can not, and do not even try to
argue that the First Hierarch of neglected or violated the basic tenets
of their actions and the canons of the Orthodox Church, podpadaya do so
under the condemnation of heresy etnofelitizma (1).
In
the case of the Office №295 Kiev Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky)
for 1918, reads a record №2916 from October 9/22: CONTENTS paper: "The
attitude of the Minister of Confessions of 21 SM Number 892/3172 asking
razsledovat case of remembrance of the Russian State and Authority in
the Church m [ISTA (city)] White Church you [Ilevskaya] y [riding] and
Article [Antium] vorzel Kiev [tion] in [riding]. RESOLUTION bishop: of
consistency [theory]. Prodpisat in both places that commemorated the
prescribed Vseukr [Ain] Council form: Power of bogohranimoy our ukrainstey and missus Her hetman Paul , and moreover would give an explanation why remembered wrong? (2).
Based
on this fact, the drafters of the Metropolitan Anthony "treatment"
could, if desired, to accuse and "Russophobia" and "Sergianism" and
aiding Ukrainian nationalists. This is despite the fact that our Russian
Church Abroad in Ukraine today do not remember the local authorities.
In the "Address" argues that the Bishops
and priests of the ROCOR engaged in political activity against Russia
and thereby provide a tranquil and comfortable life. That is,
it is a direct indication of the fact that our bishops and priests are
the agents of foreign countries that are hostile to Russia, and for his
work as an agent receiving this money, which "quietly and comfortably
live." This is a real political denunciation similar denunciations of
Soviet times. If this is indeed true, it must present the facts and pass
them to the FSB, as it is a criminal offense against the state of the
Russian Federation. If this is not true (that in fact), the signatories
of the "Address" slandered their own brethren, for which he provided did
not even canonical sanctions and criminal liability in accordance with
Article 128_1Ugolovnogo Code (the maximum penalty - a fine of up to 5 million rubles or compulsory work up to 480 hours). (3)
The
signatories of the "Address" claim that Metropolitan Agafangel claims
that have never heard of mission '' storage ROCA White holy ideas '',
and this puts him in guilt. Please give quotes ROCOR Council
, namely councils, rather than private opinions of certain
representatives of the ROCA (except for the First All-Diaspora), which
would be praised White idea, and I ask forgiveness for all those his
words. International Church ministers to the White movement, while
remaining "One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church." However, she also
ministers to those Russian Orthodox, who, for example, fought the Vlasov
army, and even those Orthodox Russian who fought in the ranks of the
Wehrmacht and of the Russian, who were in the ranks of the soldiers of
General Franco in Spain. And many others. Even General Pinochet and his
family prayed for a prayer service before the Iberian myrrh-streaming
icon when she visited Chile. Russian Orthodox Church Outside of
ministers to all whose soul longed for its nourishment, but not
exclusively white movement. Of course, when in 1943 there was a "Red
Church" "Joy" which coincides with the joys of the godless government of
the Russian Orthodox Church finally secured the naming of the White
Church, but it was naming, but not the essence, not the fact that it is
at least something differed from the Church founded by Christ. In our
own country the Catacomb Church, which flesh was united with the
Orthodox, and many of its priests and ministers to those who have been
with the White Army, but the White Church at the same time it is not
called. Is the Church were different? No - it was the "One, Holy,
Catholic and Apostolic Church." Of course, many were talking about the
idea of the White, and our church was where White was the idea, but,
while remaining the Church of Christ.
If
someone wants to call ROCA White Church, it is certainly not wrong and,
in fact, does not sin. But if anyone would be categorically insist that
ROCA is a special White Church, and no other, and this is something
different from the Orthodox Church, and will try to make others think
so, and then it is not just a manifestation of secular authoritarianism -
it is an attempt to abuse of the Church.
The
signatories indicate that we should not recognize Lenin established the
Ukrainian border. That is, in fact, call for a redistribution of
existing boundaries (ie, the war "behind the old borders"). But, the
last time the border is not signed, Lenin, and VV Putin, and acts as a
guarantor of their immunity.
***
Thus,
even with the most careful consideration of this document, it does not
detect a no dogmatic or canonical provisions. However, the document
contains a threat of a split if its vague and non-church demands are not
met. That is, there is no doubt that this document is not a church.
On
the contrary, some of the requirements contained in the document,
directly subject to the condemnation of church rules and canons. As a
result, we can confidently say that the "Appeal of clergy and laity
Russian ROCOR parishes" - a provocation aimed to ensure that split our
Church. In this provocation, as in any provocation, there is conscious
of its participants, which are clearly visible on the writer's activity
on the Internet, but there are random people, trusting them. Need to
pray that those who got here by accident, opened his eyes and they
stopped at the edge of the abyss into which they are pushing the enemy
of our Church.
The political component of the "Address clergy and laity Russian ROCOR parishes"
If the document is not a church, it follows that it is permissible to consider as political.
It
should be recognized that from a political point of view, this document
is much more interesting. First of all, great importance is the
political situation prevailing in and around the Russian Federation.
Developments in Ukraine and seized the country from the sphere of
influence of the Russian Federation destroyed practically geopolitical
project of the "Russian World", because without Kiev this program can
not be realized. Direct reaction to the Ukrainian "Maidan" - the
annexation of the Crimea and the attempt of Russia joining the Donetsk
region. Further plans failed. Now, instead of wide occurrence of
"Russian world" of the Russian Federation have to leave in the dead of
isolation, since international sanctions seriously threatened throughout
its economy.
Protective
actions of the Russian Federation - forced reorientation of production
and finance on internal capabilities. That is, the concentration of the
economy and the banking system (at least its critical mass) in the
territory of the Russian Federation to have stability control of the
centers of key industries. At the same time, restrictions and
prohibitions on contributions outside the Russian Federation, building
on its territory enterprises (including agricultural) products which
have to be purchased in other countries. Increased cooperation with
communist China and Asian traditionally Muslim countries. In the context
of increasing isolation from European countries and the US, which has
strong Christian communities, under the circumstances, Christianity
itself becomes an enemy of Russia, because it is quite numerous contacts
and communication with representatives again become hostile, developed
countries. In order to minimize the danger from this side, the Russian
Federation, as well as during the Soviet era, should be to get a mass
and a wholly owned religious organization that is ready to carry out any
instructions from the government. And such an organization, as we know,
in the Russian Federation is.
Article Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin: Religious communities in the Russian Federation should not be controlled from the outside (4)
Relative
to other religious, including Christian denominations, directly and
unambiguously expressed Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin article RIA Novosti
on October 25, with the eloquent title: "Religious communities in the
Russian Federation should not be controlled from the outside." After the
title explains the idea: " Leaders of
religious communities operating in Russia, should be carried out only
centers in the country, rather than from abroad, as it is directly
related to the conservation of the country's sovereignty, security and
stability in the country. " "The state can not be neutral with respect to external influences and related religious and religious-social doctrines. "
"Some
people say," will not work "or say that some international religious
structures will never go out to take our civilization installation -
some (countries) can be obtained. In China, everything turned out, "-
said the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church.
He expressed confidence that "we will and if we had enough will."
It
is safe to say that sounded Vsevolod Chaplin of the Moscow
Patriarchate's position is fully consistent with current government
installations, which, in an increasingly growing international isolation
of the Russian Federation, and include full control of the
"dissidents".
***
It
is clear that the article Vsevolod Chaplin not random improvisation,
but the result of developments not lasted a short time. It is also clear
that the so-called Diocesan Assembly in Naverezhe - it is not a
spontaneous process, the event is being prepared for about two years,
began with the declaration that the First Hierarch of the poor, that the
center of the ROCA should be in the Russian Federation. So, what we see
now - is not entirely successful completion of the process, once
started is not entirely successful. God forbid that this is over, the
more that the main figures, almost all marked and thus were, as it were,
"out of the game." To continue the mission to destroy the ROCA should
involve new forces, and it is not so easy to do and it takes a certain
time, that our church should use for their internal strengthening and
development.
I
personally have repeatedly offered to arrange different people ROCA
center in the Russian Federation. Or, at least, to create in Russia a
separate "stand-alone" "self-governing" District (if the split does not
work immediately, then try to implement it in two stages).
This,
incidentally, has received unexpected confirmation in the recently
published "Appeal Parish meeting to the Council of Bishops, the Synod
and the First Hierarch of ROCOR Parish meeting Ascension parish in
Barnaul" on 3/16 November 2014.
It
reads: "We are convinced that further staying of [Metropolitan
Agafangel] at the post of the First Hierarch, ROCOR in Russia is
deprived of its future. The Council of Bishops ask if you can not
amicably resolve the issue of the First Hierarch, to find a form of
government the Church may not post collegiate Hierarch (...) In the case
of failure of the Council on the requirements of Appeals, asking His
Grace to form a temporary church administration for the Russian parishes
independent of the Metropolitan Agafangel order distance themselves
from the anti-Russian position of the First Hierarch.
That
is, members of the parish meeting Barnaul parish headed by its rector
unanimously support, in fact, is what encourages Archpriest Vsevolod
Chaplin. The same can say about the representatives of Izhevsk and
several other parishes.
Some conclusions
Many
note that the Russian Federation is a kind of return to the era of the
Soviet Union. Those who lived at that time, remember that in this
country there was no free, uncontrolled organization (except the
Catacomb Church). It was truly a slave society, which tried to control
everything - even a person's thoughts. Now, with a new stage of
technological development, control over a person becomes more easy and
affordable. Return to this control at the state level, in post-Soviet
dictatorship, once again becomes dangerous and a real threat to the true
Orthodox Christians. How amazing it all coincided in time with us, and
they have. Our parishes involuntarily should be even more cautious,
ready to harassment and provocation. In a situation specified Vsevolod
Chaplin, we should make every effort to abandon the centralization and
centralized government, as in the current RF centralization means full
control. But Christianity can not live without absolute freedom in
Christ. Therefore, be careful, because once lost freedom, we no longer
had never been true.
"Keep
what you have" - commanded all of us to the third First Hierarch of
the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Filaret - "that no man take
thy crown" (Rev. 3.11) - continues to Scripture.
First Hierarch of the ROCOR
+ Metropolitan Agafangel
Odessa, 18 November 2014
NOTES
(1) Conviction ethnophyletism Council of Constantinople in 1872"We reject and condemn the tribal division, ie tribal differences, national quarrels and disagreements in the Church of Christ, as nasty evangelical doctrine and sacred laws blessed our fathers, to whom the Holy Church approved and which decorate the human society, leading to the divine piety. Which receive such a division by tribes and those who dare to base it on unknown hitherto tribal gatherings, we proclaim, according to the sacred canons, and destitute of the Unified Catholic and Apostolic Church and these schismatics. "
Phyletism or filetism (Gr. Φυλετισμός - «racism, tribalism") or ethnophyletism (from the ancient Greek. Ἔθνος - «people» + φυλή - «clan, the tribe," tribe ") - a trend in the local Orthodox Churches to bring general church interests sacrifice national political pedigree. Condemned as heresy at the Local Council of Constantinople in 1872. One of the features (although not necessarily) phyletism is the use of the national language in church services while banning perform service in the language of the canonical Church, which was postponed from the schismatic group, illegally declared its autocephaly.
(2)
(3) On
13.07.2012, the State Duma returned to the Criminal Code article on
defamation, which is a criminal offense (Article 128_1). The maximum
penalty currently provides for a fine of up to 5 million rubles
(previously - up to 300 thousand. Rubles), or compulsory work up to 480
hours. Imprisonment as punishment for slander combined with an
accusation of committing a grave or especially grave crime, is not
provided (previously - up to three years' imprisonment).
(4) Chaplin: religious communities in the Russian Federation should not be controlled from the outside (article in full)
16:31 29/10/2014 253 3 5
At
a time when religious and social processes become critical in most
countries, there are certainly a force willing to pay them to the
detriment of its competitors, so ideally the center of decision-making
and spiritual authority in religious communities must be within the
country, said Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin.
MOSCOW, October 29 - RIA Novosti.
Manual religious communities operating in Russia, should be carried out
only centers in the country, rather than from abroad, as it is directly
related to the conservation of the country's sovereignty, security and
stability in the country, the chairman of the Synodal Department for
Church and Society, Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin.
Chaplin spoke on Wednesday at the international scientific-practical conference "State, religion and society in modern Russia."
"At a time when religious and social processes become critical in most countries, there are certainly a force willing to pay these processes to the detriment of its historical competitors . We have a lot of examples of this, ranging from pseudo-extremism activities and ending all sorts of new religious movements used for pragmatic purposes of our historical opponents, "- said Chaplin.
"At a time when religious and social processes become critical in most countries, there are certainly a force willing to pay these processes to the detriment of its historical competitors . We have a lot of examples of this, ranging from pseudo-extremism activities and ending all sorts of new religious movements used for pragmatic purposes of our historical opponents, "- said Chaplin.
In
these circumstances, he said, "the state can not be neutral with
respect to external influences and related religious and
religious-social doctrines."
"Ideally,
the only center of decision-making and spiritual authority in religious
communities should be centers located within the country. Any
self-respecting country achieves this. We have a lot of examples of
this, including from our own history, if we talk about the Russian
Empire and the Soviet Union "- said the head of the Synodal Department.
According
to Chaplin, in cases where manual religious communities "only from
within the country is impossible, seems a necessary dialogue to the
unconditional acceptance of the strategic goals and values of the
Russian civilization, including its model of church, state and society."
"Some
people say," will not work "or say that some international religious
structures will never go out to take our civilization installation -
some (countries) can be obtained. In China, everything turned out," -
said the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church.
He
expressed confidence that "we will and if we had enough will." "If we
say that this or that our opponents and partners must change themselves,
to change the very foundations of their political and ideological
constructs, if they want to dialogue with the movement we have a
mutually beneficial and productive," - said the priest.
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